Why Networking Is the Real Secret Weapon for Immigrants in Canada

A Vancouver Story of Hope, Hardship, and Community by: Afeez Akinleye

Finding a job in Canada is often described in simple terms. Keep applying. Stay positive. Something will eventually work out. But many immigrants arriving in British Columbia soon learn that this advice barely scratches the surface of the truth. The journey toward building a life here is deeper, heavier, and far more emotional than what most people acknowledge publicly.

For many newcomers, including myself, the job search has become one of the most challenging seasons of our lives. And although the road has been painful, this story is also about resilience, community, and the quiet strength that grows when people refuse to give up.

Understanding Canada’s Hidden Job Market – Why Most Jobs Never Go Public

Most newcomers expect the hiring process to be straightforward. Apply online. Wait for a call. Interview. Get the job. But in Canada, especially in BC, employment does not move in a straight line. It moves through people.

A significant portion of opportunities never appear on job boards. Research consistently shows that between 65 and 80 percent of roles are filled privately, long before they ever reach the public.

Part of the reason is that employers prefer familiarity. Hiring someone who comes recommended by a trusted colleague feels safer than sorting through hundreds of unknown applicants, especially in busy workplaces where managers barely have the time to read applications. Many positions never leave the company walls because internal staff are promoted or managers quietly identify someone within their network who fits the role. Posting a job publicly can attract hundreds of resumes, and some organizations avoid the administrative burden entirely by filling roles through word of mouth.

For immigrants, this creates an invisible barrier. Even highly skilled newcomers often struggle because they lack Canadian experience, local references, or visibility within professional circles. Automated screening systems filter out resumes before anyone reads them. Recruiters choose candidates who feel familiar, not necessarily those who are most qualified. These realities often prevent newcomers from being seen at all. This is why networking is not just helpful in Canada. Networking is essential. More importantly, networking builds a bridge that moves you from being unknown to being considered. Ultimately, it can make the difference between your application sitting in a crowded portal and someone mentioning your name in a real conversation.

My Job Search Journey in British Columbia

A Personal Story of Hope, Hardship, and an Eight-Kilometer Walk

My journey into the BC job market has pushed me to emotional and physical limits I never thought I would face. Over time, I’ve applied to positions across data, tech, logistics, supply chain, administration, customer service, and even basic entry level work. In between applications, I’ve found myself sitting in the Vancouver Public Library rewriting my resume for the tenth time, adjusting every detail to match what employers seem to want.

Meanwhile, my cover letters have been written in cafés across Metrotown, Commercial Drive, and Robson Street. At the same time, on days when motivation felt fragile, I practiced interview answers while walking around Central Park in Burnaby or along the Seawall at Coal Harbour, repeating my stories until they sounded clear and confident.

Eventually, when interviews finally came, I prepared as best as I could. I researched thoroughly, stayed calm, and showed up ready to speak with honesty and professionalism. Even so, the responses remained familiar and repetitive.

Thank you for your interest, but we have moved on with other candidates.

However, one experience is impossible for me to forget. I once had an interview for a Shipping and Receiving Clerk role in Surrey. It was a cold winter day, the kind that bites through layers and slows your footsteps. After leaving the SkyTrain, the bus I needed simply never came. At first, I waited. Then I waited longer. Still, minute after minute, nothing changed.

As a result, because I could not risk being late, I made a quick decision to walk. The first stretch alone was more than three kilometers. By the time I arrived, I was tired and cold. Then, instead of being directed inside, I was told the interview location had changed. Worse yet, the new address was over two kilometers away. Nevertheless, I kept going, because I needed that chance.

By the time I reached the second building, I had nearly completed six kilometers on foot. Even then, the interview lasted barely ten to fifteen minutes because the interviewer had another appointment. Still, I answered every question calmly, despite being exhausted and anxious. Afterward, I trekked back to the SkyTrain. When I finally reached Surrey Central, it hit me that I had walked close to eight kilometers in total. I had done it through cold wind, through stress, and through hope.

Then, two days later, the email arrived. They had moved on. In the end, after all that effort, the outcome stayed the same.

Because of experiences like this, the weight does not disappear. Instead, it lingers. It chips at your confidence, it weighs on your mental health, and it strains your finances. As a result, some months even rent becomes uncertain. And on certain nights, you lie awake wondering when things will finally shift. Still, hope refuses to die. Somehow, even when you feel drained, something inside keeps pushing you forward and reminding you to try again.

The Power of Community – How My Roof Group Is Helping Newcomers Build Connections

In Canada and in a province and city like Vancouver and other nearby cities, where loneliness and isolation can quietly overwhelm newcomers, community becomes one of the most powerful forms of support. One organization that has been making a meaningful difference in this area is My Roof Group.

They have been working tirelessly to build a sense of belonging among their tenants. Instead of limiting their role to housing management, they have taken an active step toward community development by organizing events designed to strengthen engagement, create connections, and support networking among residents.

One of these events took place on Friday, December 5. Kaustav Ghosh, a respected Vancouver entrepreneur known for his work in business, leadership, and community empowerment, co-organized the event, with support from Lenin Panchano and the My Roof Group staff, who helped make it thoughtful and impactful.

I attended this event, and it turned out to be one of the most impactful gatherings I have experienced since coming to Canada. People from different MyRoofGroup properties came together. Tenants from diverse backgrounds shared their stories. We exchanged contacts, offered advice, and connected over our challenges.

The most moving moment was a session where attendees introduced themselves and spoke openly about what they were going through. Many shared their struggles with job searching, financial pressure, emotional fatigue, and the fear of starting over. While listening, I realized that I was not alone. We were all navigating similar storms. In that room, surrounded by people who understood, a sense of relief washed over me. It reminded me that community is not just a concept. It is a lifeline. This is the kind of support newcomers need. Genuine conversations, supportive people, and real connection.

Final Thoughts – Finding Belonging Through Connection

Networking in Canada is not about forcing yourself into conversations or trying to impress people. It is about building trust and forming genuine relationships. It is about showing up in your community, sharing your story, and allowing others to support you. No immigrant succeeds in Canada entirely alone. Every journey is touched by the kindness, guidance, and encouragement of others.

My own journey has been filled with struggle, disappointment, and long days of uncertainty. But through it all, the community has given me strength. Through events organized by MyRoofGroup Buildings and conversations with people facing similar challenges, I learned that we are in this together. We are all trying. And with the right connection, one conversation can change everything.

References
1. Government of Canada Labour Insights: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development.html
2. Community Page of MyRoofGroup: https://myroofgroup.ca/community/
3. BC Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/work-in-bc/labour-market-outlook
4. Statistics Canada Labour Force Data: https://www.statcan.gc.ca/en/subjects-start/labour
5. Vancouver Economic Commission Workforce Reports: https://www.vancouvereconomic.com/research/